The results do not give a board majority to either those who support or those who oppose Superintendent Jerry Smith's plans for ``sweeping changes.''

Both Patten and Gerald Smith said they intend to avoid choosing sides on the board.

``Hopefully, we can start getting down to business, and petty politics and egos can be put aside,'' Patten said. ``Everybody has to be rowing in the same direction.''

Patten previously served eight years on the board. She did not run four years ago, when Wiseman and Chapman were elected along with Kyleen Fischer. The three formed a so-called ``moderate'' slate that replaced a controversial Christian conservative majority.

In September, Fischer defeated Sandra Green.

Gerald Smith, no relation to the superintendent, said he will remain independent.

``I am going to be on the side that has the best interests of the kids on each issue,'' he said.

All of the candidates were Republicans, so Democrats were frozen out of the School Board action. Turnout was about 10 percent of eligible voters.

Democrats had a say in choosing their party's candidate for state education commissioner. Ron Howard outpolled Peter Rudy Wallace 847 votes to 644.

In Clermont, Jeff Biddle won Seat 1 on the City Council, outpolling the combined votes for Charles Forth Jr. and Alex Ludick. The vote was 576 for Biddle, 453 for Forth and 48 for Ludick.

Republicans in south Lake also helped decide the District 41 House seat. Lake's vote was 1,012 for Michael Hammond and 1,436 for Randy Johnson, who won.

Wiseman blamed his loss on the media. He said earlier the campaign was a battle for control of the board.

Wiseman, Fischer and board member Jimmy Conner often opposed Smith. Wiseman said Patten would be a ``rubber stamp'' for the superintendent, which Patten denied.

The superintendent counted on Chapman and board member Mary Fletcher to be in his corner.

Chapman had campaigned on his success in getting construction of four new schools under way.